Archives: 10th October 2026

Ulster v Munster: Ulster welcome Munster to Affidea Stadium in Belfast today, Saturday 10 October 2026, for a BKT United Rugby Championship round-three derby. Kick-off is at 5.30pm BST, with the match broadcast live on Premier Sports.

Ulster look to build on Glasgow comeback

Richie Murphy’s side return to Belfast after a dramatic 33–33 draw away to Glasgow Warriors, where Juarno Augustus crossed late and Nathan Doak converted to secure a share of the points. Having lost to Edinburgh in their opening round, Ulster are still searching for their first league win of the season.

Stewart captains as Ireland internationals return

Tom Stewart captains Ulster from hooker, with Nathan Doak returning to the starting scrum-half role alongside Jack Murphy. Stuart McCloskey returns in the midfield, while Nick Timoney and Cormac Izuchukwu come into the back row alongside Augustus, who makes his first start of the season.

Jacob Stockdale is selected on the left wing and is set to make his 150th senior Ulster appearance. Robert Baloucoune starts on the opposite wing, with Ethan McIlroy at full-back. Jamie Benson partners McCloskey in midfield.

Munster welcome back Beirne

Munster make nine changes to their starting side, including the return of captain Tadhg Beirne in the second row. Craig Casey partners JJ Hanrahan at half-back, with Alex Nankivell and Dan Kelly in the centres. Munster arrive having beaten the Bulls 26–22 in round two.

Ulster starting XV

15–9: Ethan McIlroy; Robert Baloucoune, Jamie Benson, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale; Jack Murphy, Nathan Doak.

1–8: Eric O’Sullivan, Tom Stewart (captain), Keynan Knox; Ben Donnell, Eli Snyman; Cormac Izuchukwu, Nick Timoney, Juarno Augustus.

Replacements: Henry Walker, Tom O’Toole, Tom McAllister, James McNabney, David McCann, Matthew Devine, Jake Flannery, Chay Mullins.

Munster starting XV

15–9: Ben O’Connor; Shane Daly, Alex Nankivell, Dan Kelly, Seán O’Brien; JJ Hanrahan, Craig Casey.

1–8: Jeremy Loughman, Marnus van der Merwe, Kieran Brookes; Evan O’Connell, Tadhg Beirne (captain); Jack O’Donoghue, Alex Kendellen, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Diarmuid Barron, Josh Wycherley, Jack Aungier, Tom Ahern, Brian Gleeson, Ben O’Donovan, Charlie O’Shea, John Hodnett.

Ulster v Munster: kick-off and TV

Date: Saturday 10 October 2026. Kick-off: 5.30pm BST (Belfast, UK and Ireland). Venue: Affidea Stadium, Belfast. Competition: United Rugby Championship, round three. TV: Premier Sports.

Competitive rugby is back at Affidea Stadium tonight. Ulster open the 2026/27 BKT United Rugby Championship season at home to Edinburgh, with kick-off in Belfast at 7.45pm BST.

Ulster v Edinburgh: matchday details

• Fixture: Ulster Rugby v Edinburgh Rugby
• Competition: BKT United Rugby Championship – Round 1
• Date: Friday 25 September 2026
• Kick-off: 7.45pm BST / UK-Ireland time
• Venue: Affidea Stadium, Belfast
• TV: Premier Sports

The league season starts here

Tonight is Ulster’s first competitive fixture of 2026/27 after the September warm-up programme. It is also a quick rematch with Edinburgh: Ulster won 28-26 at Hive Stadium in the pre-season meeting on 4 September, but Round 1 brings league points and a very different level of consequence.

What to watch tonight

The step up from pre-season: the warm-ups gave Ulster a chance to test combinations and new faces. Tonight is the first indication of how those combinations look when URC points are at stake.

Edinburgh’s new-look side: Edinburgh have named four starting debutants — Alec Hepburn, James Grayson, Kienan Higgins and Geordie Gwynn — while Magnus Bradbury and Matt Currie co-captain the visitors.

A home start: beginning the league campaign at Affidea Stadium gives Ulster the opportunity to put early points on the board before the Round 2 trip to Glasgow Warriors.

Watching on TV

The game is being shown live on Premier Sports. Kick-off is at 7.45pm BST.

Getting home from Affidea Stadium

Translink lists a special return service for the Ulster v Edinburgh fixture, with buses due to depart Affidea Stadium at 9.45pm. Supporters using the service should check their departure point with the driver when they arrive at the stadium.

Ulster v Edinburgh Match Hub

Our permanent Ulster v Edinburgh Match Hub has the core fixture information in one place. Team news, matchday coverage, the result and reaction can all sit around that hub without duplicating the main fixture page.

SUFTUM.

Michael Lowry will captain Ulster in Friday night’s United Rugby Championship opener against Edinburgh at Affidea Stadium, with Richie Murphy naming a starting XV containing five summer signings.

Eight players in the matchday 23 are in line to make their first competitive Ulster appearances, while James McNabney returns to competitive action at number eight after missing all of last season with a long-term knee injury.

Ulster v Edinburgh: match details

• Fixture: Ulster Rugby v Edinburgh Rugby
• Date: Friday 25 September 2026
• Kick-off: 7.45pm BST / UK-Ireland time
• Venue: Affidea Stadium, Belfast
• Competition: United Rugby Championship – Round 1
• TV / stream: Premier Sports and URC.tv

For the permanent fixture information and any late updates, see the Ulster v Edinburgh Match Hub.

Ulster team v Edinburgh

Eric O’Sullivan, James McCormick and Argentina international Eduardo Bello form the front row. Bello is one of the new arrivals making a first competitive start, with fellow summer signings Eli Snyman and Ben Donnell paired together in the second row.

David McCann starts at blindside flanker, Martin Moloney makes his competitive Ulster debut at openside and McNabney returns at number eight.

Conor McKee and Jack Murphy are the half-backs. Jamie Benson makes his competitive debut at inside centre alongside Ben Carson, while Aitzol Arenzana-King and Robert Baloucoune start on the wings. Lowry captains the side from full-back.

Starting XV

1. Eric O’Sullivan
2. James McCormick
3. Eduardo Bello
4. Eli Snyman
5. Ben Donnell
6. David McCann
7. Martin Moloney
8. James McNabney
9. Conor McKee
10. Jack Murphy
11. Aitzol Arenzana-King
12. Jamie Benson
13. Ben Carson
14. Robert Baloucoune
15. Michael Lowry (captain)

Replacements

16. Henry Walker
17. Tom McAllister
18. Keynan Knox
19. Harry Sheridan
20. James McKillop
21. Matthew Devine
22. Jake Flannery
23. Zac Ward

Five new signings start

Bello, Snyman, Donnell, Moloney and Benson are all handed their first competitive Ulster starts. It gives the opening league team a noticeably different look from last season, particularly in the tight five and midfield.

There is also experience around the new faces. Baloucoune returns to the starting side after his involvement with Ireland over the summer, while last season’s leading try scorer Zac Ward is among the replacements.

McNabney makes his competitive return

McNabney’s selection at number eight is another significant part of the team news. He missed the whole of last season after a serious knee injury and now returns for Ulster’s first competitive fixture of 2026/27.

Arenzana-King also keeps his place after an eye-catching pre-season in which he scored four tries across the Edinburgh and Ospreys warm-up matches.

What the bench looks like

Murphy has gone with a 5:3 split. Henry Walker, Tom McAllister, Keynan Knox, Harry Sheridan and James McKillop provide the forward cover, with Matthew Devine, Jake Flannery and Zac Ward covering the backs.

Walker, Knox and Devine are among the players who could make their competitive Ulster debuts if introduced.

Season starts under the lights in Belfast

Friday’s match is Ulster’s first league fixture of the new season and a quick competitive rematch with Edinburgh after the sides met in pre-season earlier this month. Kick-off is at 7.45pm at Affidea Stadium.

We’ll keep the Match Hub as the permanent home for fixture details, broadcast information and further match updates.

Ulster’s first away game of the 2026/27 United Rugby Championship takes them to Scotstoun Stadium to face Glasgow Warriors on Saturday 3 October.

The fixture is Round 2 of the new URC season and now kicks off at 5.30pm BST. Glasgow Warriors confirmed on 1 September that the game had been moved from its originally announced 7.45pm slot following discussions between the league and broadcasters.

Glasgow Warriors v Ulster: fixture details

• Fixture: Glasgow Warriors v Ulster Rugby
• Date: Saturday 3 October 2026
• Kick-off: 5.30pm BST / UK-Ireland time
• Venue: Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow
• Competition: BKT United Rugby Championship – Round 2
• TV / stream: To be confirmed

Kick-off moved to 5.30pm

The match was originally listed for 7.45pm, including in the first round of 2026/27 fixture announcements. Glasgow Warriors subsequently confirmed an updated 5.30pm kick-off on Saturday 3 October.

For supporters making plans for the trip, the later update is the one to use. Rugby Ulster will keep this Match Hub aligned with any further official changes.

Ulster’s first URC away trip

The trip to Glasgow follows Ulster’s season opener at home to Edinburgh Rugby on Friday 25 September. It gives Richie Murphy’s side an immediate early-season test away from Belfast before Munster visit Affidea Stadium in Round 3.

Scotstoun has traditionally been one of the more demanding away venues in the league, so this should provide an early indication of where Ulster stand once the competitive campaign is under way.

What to expect at Scotstoun

Glasgow’s first home URC fixture of the season comes against Ulster, giving the game added significance for both sides. The Warriors begin their campaign away to Munster before returning to Scotstoun for Round 2.

Team news will be added closer to kick-off, together with any confirmed broadcast information and supporter details that become available.

TV and streaming

A specific UK television channel or streaming listing for this fixture has not yet been confirmed in the latest official match information checked for this page. We will update the Match Hub when the broadcaster listing is published.

Rugby Ulster Match Hub

This is the canonical Rugby Ulster fixture page for Glasgow Warriors v Ulster. Team news, matchday coverage, result and reaction stories can link back here while the core fixture information remains in one permanent place.

Latest official fixture update: Glasgow Warriors confirmed the revised 5.30pm kick-off on 1 September 2026.

It is matchday at Affidea Stadium. Ulster host Ospreys tonight in their final pre-season fixture before the United Rugby Championship campaign begins, with kick-off in Belfast at 7.45pm.

The game is also available to watch live through Ulster Rugby’s official streaming service, giving supporters a final chance to see how Richie Murphy’s side is shaping up before competitive rugby returns.

Ulster v Ospreys: match details

• Fixture: Ulster Rugby v Ospreys
• Date: Friday 11 September 2026
• Kick-off: 7.45pm BST / UK-Ireland time
• Venue: Affidea Stadium, Belfast
• Competition: Bank of Ireland pre-season friendly
• Watch: Ulster Rugby Live (£7.50)

What to watch tonight

James Hume is back in the midfield

One of the most encouraging selections is the return of James Hume at outside centre. Jamie Benson moves to inside centre and Jack Murphy starts at fly-half, giving Ulster a different midfield combination to the one used in Edinburgh last week.

Hume’s return gives Ulster another experienced attacking option in a backline that also includes Matthew Devine at scrum-half and Michael Lowry, who captains the side from full-back.

A new-look pack gets its chance

Eduardo Bello starts at tighthead, while Ben Donnell and Eli Snyman form the second row. David McCann, Martin Moloney and James McNabney make up the back row, with McNabney wearing number eight.

Pre-season is about more than the final score, so the set piece, defensive organisation and how quickly the new combinations settle should all be worth watching closely.

One final rehearsal before the URC

This is Ulster’s last warm-up before the competitive season starts at home to Edinburgh on Friday 25 September. That makes tonight a useful final opportunity to sharpen combinations, build match fitness and put pressure on the selection picture before the league opener.

Ulster team v Ospreys

Ulster’s starting XV is Eric O’Sullivan, James McCormick, Eduardo Bello, Ben Donnell, Eli Snyman, David McCann, Martin Moloney, James McNabney, Matthew Devine, Jack Murphy, Aitzol Arenzana-King, Jamie Benson, James Hume, Chay Mullins and Michael Lowry.

For the full replacements list and the selection changes from last week’s Edinburgh game, see our Ulster v Ospreys team-news guide.

How to watch Ulster v Ospreys

Kick-off is at 7.45pm BST. The match is being streamed live on Ulster Rugby Live, with the official stream listed at £7.50.

For supporters heading to the ground, the fixture is at Affidea Stadium in Belfast.

What are you watching for?

Hume’s return, the Murphy-Benson combination, the new-look pack and the battle for places all give Ulster supporters plenty to keep an eye on. What do you most want to see from the final pre-season hit-out?

Ulster open the 2026/27 United Rugby Championship season at home to Edinburgh Rugby on Friday 25 September, with kick-off at 7.45pm BST at Affidea Stadium.

It is Ulster’s first competitive fixture of the new campaign and comes two weeks after the final pre-season game against Ospreys. Edinburgh will already be familiar opposition: the sides also met in a warm-up fixture at Hive Stadium earlier in September, but this time league points are on the line.

Ulster v Edinburgh: fixture details

• Fixture: Ulster Rugby v Edinburgh Rugby
• Date: Friday 25 September 2026
• Kick-off: 7.45pm BST / UK-Ireland time
• Venue: Affidea Stadium, Belfast
• Competition: United Rugby Championship – Round 1
• TV: Premier Sports

The competitive season starts at home

After two September pre-season fixtures, Richie Murphy’s side begin the URC campaign in Belfast. The Edinburgh game is the first of 18 scheduled regular-season league fixtures for Ulster and the first opportunity to turn the work of pre-season into championship points.

The quick rematch with Edinburgh also gives the opening round an extra layer of interest. The pre-season meeting provided a first look at new combinations and summer arrivals; Round 1 should give a much clearer indication of how Ulster intend to approach the competitive campaign.

What to watch

The opening selection: the first competitive team sheet of the season will show which combinations have won the early selection battles after the Edinburgh and Ospreys warm-up matches.

New faces under competitive pressure: several summer arrivals have been involved during pre-season. The URC opener will be the first chance to see which of them are trusted immediately when league points matter.

A home start: beginning at Affidea Stadium gives Ulster the opportunity to establish early momentum before travelling to Glasgow Warriors in Round 2.

How to watch Ulster v Edinburgh

Kick-off is at 7.45pm BST on Friday 25 September. Premier Sports holds live rights to every United Rugby Championship match. The Match Hub on this page will carry the latest confirmed broadcast details and any late fixture updates.

What comes next?

Ulster travel to Scotstoun Stadium to face Glasgow Warriors on Saturday 3 October, with another 7.45pm BST kick-off. The first interprovincial fixture follows at home to Munster on Saturday 10 October.

Team news for the Edinburgh opener will be added when the official matchday squad is announced.

James Hume returns to Ulster’s starting XV for Friday night’s home pre-season meeting with Ospreys at Affidea Stadium, with Richie Murphy reshuffling both the pack and midfield for the province’s final warm-up before the new United Rugby Championship campaign.

Eduardo Bello starts at tighthead after coming from the bench against Edinburgh, while Ben Donnell and Eli Snyman form a new second row. David McCann moves to blindside flanker, Martin Moloney starts at openside and James McNabney is named at number eight. In the backs, Matthew Devine remains at scrum-half, Jack Murphy starts at 10, Jamie Benson moves to inside centre and Hume comes in at 13.

Ulster v Ospreys: match details

• Fixture: Ulster Rugby v Ospreys
• Date: Friday 11 September 2026
• Kick-off: 7.45pm BST / UK-Ireland time
• Venue: Affidea Stadium, Belfast
• Competition: Bank of Ireland pre-season friendly
• Watch: Ulster Rugby Live (£7.50)

For the permanent fixture information and Match Hub, see our Ulster v Ospreys pre-season fixture guide.

Ulster team v Ospreys

Starting XV

1. Eric O’Sullivan
2. James McCormick
3. Eduardo Bello
4. Ben Donnell
5. Eli Snyman
6. David McCann
7. Martin Moloney
8. James McNabney
9. Matthew Devine
10. Jack Murphy
11. Aitzol Arenzana-King
12. Jamie Benson
13. James Hume
14. Chay Mullins
15. Michael Lowry

Replacements

Tom McAllister, Henry Walker, Flynn Longstaff, Harry Sheridan, Joe Hopes, James McKillop, Tom Brigg, Conor McKee, Jake Flannery, Jonny Scott, Daniel Hawkshaw, Ben Carson.

What has changed from Edinburgh?

Hume returns in midfield: Hume comes into the starting side at outside centre, with Benson moving from fly-half to number 12 and Jack Murphy taking over at 10. Daniel Hawkshaw and Ben Carson move to the replacements.

Bello gets the tighthead start: Argentina international Eduardo Bello moves into the starting front row, with Tom McAllister among the replacements. Eric O’Sullivan and James McCormick continue at loosehead and hooker.

A new-look back five of the scrum: Donnell and Snyman start together in the second row, while McCann, Moloney and McNabney make up the back row. Harry Sheridan, Joe Hopes, James McKillop and Tom Brigg all move to the bench.

Continuity in the back three: Aitzol Arenzana-King and Chay Mullins remain on the wings, with Michael Lowry again at full-back. Devine also keeps the scrum-half jersey after starting the pre-season win in Edinburgh.

How to watch Ulster v Ospreys

The match kicks off at 7.45pm BST on Friday. Ulster Rugby’s official live streaming service is carrying the Bank of Ireland pre-season friendly for £7.50.

The Ospreys fixture is Ulster’s final pre-season test before the competitive campaign begins at home to Edinburgh on Friday 25 September.

Ulster return to Affidea Stadium on Friday 11 September for a pre-season friendly against Ospreys, with kick-off at 7.45pm.

Ulster v Ospreys: fixture details

• Fixture: Ulster Rugby v Ospreys
• Date: Friday 11 September 2026
• Kick-off: 7.45pm UK/Ireland time
• Venue: Affidea Stadium, Belfast
• Competition: Pre-season friendly

Ulster’s next pre-season test

The Ospreys game follows Ulster’s trip to Edinburgh on 4 September and gives the province another important opportunity to build combinations and match sharpness before the competitive campaign begins.

For supporters, it is also the first home fixture in this short pre-season run. With the match at Affidea Stadium, the emphasis should be on how the squad develops from the Edinburgh outing and which combinations are beginning to settle ahead of the United Rugby Championship.

What to watch

Selection will be one of the main talking points. Pre-season gives the coaching staff room to balance established players, summer arrivals and Academy talent while managing minutes across the squad.

Rather than reading too much into the result, the more useful signs will be continuity, defensive organisation, set-piece progress and which players put themselves in contention for the opening competitive fixtures.

Latest team, TV and match information

The Match Hub on this page is the source for the latest confirmed fixture information. Team news, broadcast details and any important changes can be added there as they are confirmed, without changing this permanent fixture URL.

Tickets

Tickets are listed through Ulster Rugby’s ticketing channels for the home pre-season fixture at Affidea Stadium. Supporters should check the official club ticket route for the latest availability and matchday information.

What comes next?

Ulster’s first confirmed United Rugby Championship fixture is also at home, against Edinburgh on Friday 25 September. That makes the Ospreys game a useful final home-stage test before the league campaign gets under way.

Ulster are back in match action tonight, with Michael Lowry captaining a 27-player squad for the pre-season trip to Edinburgh Rugby at Hive Stadium.

Richie Murphy has mixed senior experience, Academy players and summer arrivals for the first warm-up fixture of the 2026/27 campaign. Scrum-half Matthew Devine and fly-half Jamie Benson will make their first appearances in an Ulster jersey, while several other new signings are set to feature from the bench.

Edinburgh v Ulster: match details

• Fixture: Edinburgh Rugby v Ulster Rugby
• Date: Friday 4 September 2026
• Kick-off: 7.45pm (UK/Ireland time)
• Venue: Hive Stadium, Edinburgh
• Competition: Scottish Building Society pre-season friendly
• TV: Premier Sports 2

For the wider fixture background, including the quick turnaround before the teams meet again in the URC, see our Edinburgh v Ulster pre-season fixture guide.

Ulster team v Edinburgh

Lowry starts at full-back and leads the side. Eric O’Sullivan, James McCormick and Academy tighthead Tom McAllister form the front row, with Harry Sheridan and Joe Hopes in the second row. James McKillop, Tom Brigg and David McCann make up the back row.

The new half-back pairing is one of the most interesting selections. Devine starts at scrum-half after joining from Connacht, with Benson at fly-half following his move from Harlequins. Daniel Hawkshaw starts at inside centre alongside Ben Carson, while Aitzol Arenzana-King and Chay Mullins are on the wings.

Ulster starting XV

1. Eric O’Sullivan
2. James McCormick
3. Tom McAllister
4. Harry Sheridan
5. Joe Hopes
6. James McKillop
7. Tom Brigg
8. David McCann
9. Matthew Devine
10. Jamie Benson
11. Aitzol Arenzana-King
12. Daniel Hawkshaw
13. Ben Carson
14. Chay Mullins
15. Michael Lowry (captain)

Ulster replacements

Henry Walker, Flynn Longstaff, Eduardo Bello, Ben Donnell, Eli Snyman, Martin Moloney, James McNabney, Clark Logan, Jake Flannery, Jonny Scott, Jed Findlay and Jack Murphy.

New faces get an early opportunity

Devine and Benson are not the only summer arrivals involved. Eduardo Bello, Eli Snyman, Ben Donnell and Martin Moloney are named among the replacements, giving Murphy the chance to spread minutes across a large squad.

There is also a welcome return to a matchday squad for James McNabney as he continues his comeback from a long-term ACL injury. With 12 replacements available, the emphasis is clearly on game time and combinations rather than treating this like a normal competitive matchday 23.

What to watch from Ulster tonight

The Devine-Benson partnership: two new half-backs starting together means supporters will get an immediate look at how they manage territory, tempo and Ulster’s attack.

Younger forwards under pressure: McAllister, McKillop and Brigg all start in a pack that will be tested by an Edinburgh side also using the night to assess combinations.

Competition in the back three: Arenzana-King and Mullins start on the wings with Lowry at full-back, offering pace and a chance for the newer faces to make an early impression.

Edinburgh will rotate heavily too

Edinburgh have named two XVs, with each unit expected to get around 40 minutes. New recruits Alec Hepburn, James Grayson and Geordie Gwynn are among the first-half starters, while Kienan Higgins is due to feature after the interval.

That makes tonight exactly what a useful pre-season game should be: plenty of changes, fresh combinations and an opportunity for both coaching teams to learn more before competitive rugby begins.

How to watch

Kick-off at Hive Stadium is 7.45pm and the match is being shown live on Premier Sports 2.

We will keep an eye on the key talking points from Edinburgh as Ulster’s 2026/27 preparations move up a level.